hungry

adjective

hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē 

hungrier; hungriest

1

a

: feeling an uneasy or painful sensation from lack of food : feeling hunger

b

: characterized by or characteristic of hunger or appetite

a wolf with hungry eyes

2

a

: eager, avid

hungry for affection

b

: strongly motivated (as by ambition)

hungry investors

a power-hungry politician

3

: not rich or fertile : barren

a hungry soil

hungrily

ˈhəŋ-grə-lē 

adverb

hungriness

ˈhəŋ-grē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• starving
• starved

Examples of hungry in a Sentence

There are millions of hungry people throughout the world.

That girl is always hungry.

The prisoners' families were hungry for more information.

They were hungry to learn more.

Recent Examples on the Web

That's because tomatoes are notoriously hungry for nutrients, and broccoli will compete for the same selection of nutrients in the soil. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 29 June 2025

Meanwhile, hungry Palestinians are enduring a catastrophic situation in Gaza. —Wafaa Shurafa, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025

Hundreds have been killed while seeking food Meanwhile, hungry Palestinians are enduring a catastrophic situation in Gaza. —Wafaa Shurafa, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025

Whether hungry or not, golfers are obliged to try one on for size and will never regret the choice. —David Weiss, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hungrig; akin to Old English hungor

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hungry

• go hungry

Kids Definition

hungry

adjective

hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē 

hungrier; hungriest

1

: feeling or showing hunger

2

: eager, avid

hungry for all the details

hungrily

-grə-lē 

adverb